Last week in the Inland Empire, a 55-year-old registered sex offender was charged with lewd acts with a minor when police reports indicate that he got a young teenage co-worker impaired on hard liquor and molested him at the business where they were employed.

William Thomas James, of Murrieta, was arrested September 10  and has plead not guilty to felony lewd acts with a minor and three misdemeanor counts of indecent exposure, annoying and molesting a child and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.  James apparently has a previous misdemeanor conviction from an incident fifteen years ago which involved similar circumstances.

Police indicate in this case that the teenager was so intoxicated he had to be hospitalized and the police fear that he might have been drugged as well. He and James were at the business at the end of the workday and were alone went the this conduct was alleged. When the boy’s mother arrived to pick him up, she called the police.

Are you or some one you love facing a similar charge. In California, the punishment for this conduct could be up to eight years in prison, as well as having to register as a sexual offender pursuant to the penal code 290.

To prove that you are guilty of violating Penal Code Section 288(a), the People must prove that: 1. You willfully touched any part of a child’s body either on the bare skin or through the clothing; or      That you willfully caused a child to touch your own body, or the body of someone else, either on the bare skin or through the clothing; 2. You committed the act with the intent of arousing, appealing to, or gratifying the lust, passions, or sexual desires of yourself or the child; and 3. The child was under the age of 14 years at the time of the act.

If you or a loved one is facing this charge, it is important to hire an experienced sex crimes attorney.  We at Wallin and Klarich have many years of experience successfully defending people charged with these types of crimes. We will work to aggressively defend you by investigating all aspects of your case.  We will work to ensure that your rights are protected and that you clearly understand the legal process.  The attorneys at Wallin & Klarich can be reached by phone at 1-877-230-1529 or through our website at www.wklaw.com. We will be there when you call.